After years of planning and debate, Columbus Council on Tuesday signed off on spending almost $5 million on widening Moon Road from Wilbur Drive to Whittlesey Boulevard.

The funds had been budgeted in the fiscal 2014 budget, but council approval was required to move the project forward.

The two-lane stretch of road will be widened to three lanes with turning lanes at street intersections. The price tag includes all drainage work, curbing and gutters, traffic signals and pavement markings, according to city documents.

Robinson Paving Co. of Columbus beat out the other bidders with a bid of $4.93 million, followed by Southeastern Site Development Co. of Newnan at $5.34 million and Alexander Contracting Co. of Columbus at $5.45 million.